Jennie Ostendorf refers to herself as a millennial orphan after recently losing her mother and father to suicide. She’s also a friend, a sister to a Buddhist monk, a future therapist, a present therapy client advocating for mental health, and so much more. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles to two native Angelenos, her childhood was idyllic as she grew up by the beach, surrounded by a loving family, and a successful entrepreneur mother as a role model. Jennie had a brief love affair with New York while attending Barnard College at Columbia University where she studied economics, dance, and leadership. After graduation, sunshine and family called her home to California where she began her career in entertainment, media, and marketing. Most recently, Jennie led community and partnerships for the consumer health and biotech start-up Seed Health. 

Shifting gears and finding purpose after losing both of her parents to mental illness, Jennie is now pursuing a Master's in Social Work at USC in the Adult Mental Health and Wellness department. She looks forward to continuing to advocate for mental health and bringing therapy practices to areas where mental health is often neglected. She champions the idea that mental health is health and that humanity depends on it being treated as such. 

Jennie is deeply passionate about cultivating community and takes pride in her ability to connect people, places, and things with thoughtful care. She loves her family, big friendships, yoga, spending time in nature, pollinator spotting, neighborhood walks, breathing in the ocean air, pizza nights with friends, musical theater, the radio program This American Life, and watching all genres of television (but is especially into reality at the moment).  

Jennie is dealing with the grief and loss of her parents by not being afraid to ask for help, to cry in public, and to turn to her community for support whenever she needs it. She is an incredible example of vulnerability mixed with strength to get through even the hardest of times by putting one foot in front of the other, being self-aware, and giving back.

SHOW NOTE LINKS:

Jennie Ostendorf on Instagram

Jennie’s Article on the Local Optimist- Surviving Suicide Loss

Seed Health on Instagram

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services/ Suicide Prevention

Rachel’s Mom’s Episode- Laurie Kallen Schwent- My Createive and Eccentric Bipolar Mother Whose Parents Both Died by Suicide on Why Life is Worth Living in Color

Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 

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